Implantable prosthesis

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis for repairing a defect in a muscle or tissue wall. The prosthesis comprises a body of biologically compatible prosthetic material having a preformed three-dimensional contoured shape that independently assumes a three-dimensional curved shape configured to conform to the muscle or tissue wall. The body may be formed of a mesh fabric employing a knit construction. The body may be configured with one or more mechanical characteristics, individually or in any combination, having defined properties which may enhance the ability of the prosthesis to be handled in a surgical, robotic environment while meeting the performance and physical characteristics for soft tissue repair and reconstruction. One or more visual indicia may be provided to facilitate positioning and/or placement of the prosthesis at the muscle or tissue wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An implantable prosthesis for repairing an inguinal hernia, the prosthesis comprising:
 a body of biologically compatible prosthetic material having a preformed three-dimensional contoured shape that independently assumes a curved shape configured to conform to the inguinal wall, the body being surrounded by an outer peripheral edge and including an apex relative to the outer peripheral edge, the body including a depression configured to receive external iliac vessels, the depression extending in a first direction from the apex toward the outer peripheral edge, the body including a first visual indicia extending in the first direction along at least a portion of the depression between the apex and the outer peripheral edge, the first visual indicia having a contrasting color relative to the body. 
 
     
     
       2. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the first visual indicia extends from the apex. 
     
     
       3. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the first visual indicia includes a line extending along the depression. 
     
     
       4. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer peripheral edge defines a first plane, the first visual indicia extending in a second plane positioned transverse to the first plane. 
     
     
       5. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a rounded ridge extending in a second direction from the outer peripheral edge to at least the apex, the rounded ridge configured to be placed along the axis of the inguinal ligament, the body including a second visual indicia extending in the second direction along at least a portion of the rounded ridge between the outer peripheral edge and the apex, the second visual indicia having a contrasting color relative to the body. 
     
     
       6. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 5 , wherein the second visual indicia extends through the apex. 
     
     
       7. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 6 , wherein the second visual indicia includes a line extending across the body. 
     
     
       8. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 5 , wherein the first visual indicia extends in a first direction and the second visual indicia extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
       9. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. 
     
     
       10. An implantable prosthesis for repairing an inguinal hernia, the prosthesis comprising:
 a body of biologically compatible prosthetic material having a preformed three-dimensional contoured shape that independently assumes a curved shape configured to conform to the inguinal wall, the body being surrounded by an outer peripheral edge and including an apex relative to the outer peripheral edge, the body including a rounded ridge extending in a first direction from the outer peripheral edge to at least the apex, the rounded ridge being configured to be placed along the axis of the inguinal ligament, the body including a first visual indicia extending in the first direction along at least a portion of the rounded ridge between the outer peripheral edge and the apex, the first visual indicia having a contrasting color relative to the body. 
 
     
     
       11. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the first visual indicia extends from the apex. 
     
     
       12. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the first visual indicia extends through the apex. 
     
     
       13. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the first visual indicia includes a line extending across the body. 
     
     
       14. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer peripheral edge defines a first plane, the first visual indicia extending in a second plane positioned transverse to the first plane. 
     
     
       15. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the body includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, the rounded ridge located between the first curved surface and the second curved surface, the second surface being steeper than the first curved surface relative to the outer peripheral edge. 
     
     
       16. The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the body includes a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface.